My son wanted one of those expensive robot type toys. I wasn't prepared to pay for something that "all his other friends have" and that I knew would collect dust before long. But he wanted it desperately. So he saved all his pocket money for 9 months and helped with jobs other than his chores to earn the money. He eventually bought it for himself. That was a wonderful achievement for him and the only time that I have not minded the fact that he wanted something because "all the other kids have one".

I find it quite alarming to see how many of my son's friends, under 10 years of age, are sporting the latest camera cell phones. And lap top computers.

I am so grateful that despite my son encountering computer games and playstation, that he is still largely a climb-a-tree type of child who enjoys playing outside. Sadly, his friends - who have the latest of everything - arn't interested in playing outside.

I do feel that many parents tend to hand the latest and best of things to their kids on silver platters.

How times have changed. It's sad.